Might want to take a look at the tristar Viper G2, it is in your price range. I have the Viper G2 in 16 Ga and it is a very good gun.


cdb

 

Long as you are looking at imported semiautos you might want to look at the Tristar Viper G2.

 

Randy have more to say, but he did directly compare the Mossberg and the Weatherby:

Mossberg and Weatherby, The Battle of the 20 Gauges Part One

 

I have the Mossberg SA-20 and it has been a good gun for me. I chose it over the Weatherby since the Weatherby required two gas pistons for light and heavy loads and the Mossberg didn't. Not sure if that is still the case with the Weatherby. Anyway, I have used mine for dove hunting, pheasant hunting, turkey hunting, and some clay target shooting. It has performed flawlessly so far with no complaints.

 

The Weatherby you are referring to is the Sa-08, not the Weatherby Element. The Weatherby Element is an inertia gun.

The only model Sa-08 currently available is the 20 gauge youth model. I Purchased one for my 8 year old son last Christmas. Great little gun, and the lightest gas operated autoloader I’ve ever held. Once I broke it in, it has cycled everything I’ve put in it without failure. It’s simple and easy to swap the piston. The only time I’ve swapped it is when I tried it out for waterfowl hunting.

The Tristar Viper G2 and the Mossberg Sa-20 are essentially the same gun. Both made in Turkey by Armsan. Both are pretty popular with members of SW. I owned a Mossberg Sa-20 for about a week, but was never able to get it to cycle 7/8oz 1200fps target loads. I returned it.

I also own a Beretta A300 Ultima. It is a great hunting gun. Offers a lot of extra features like oversized controls, widened loading port, wide rib, and a kickoff. It comes with shims and spacers, making it one of the easiest guns on the market to adjust to the shooter. All for around $800. Mine cycled reliably out of the box (after cleaning it first of course). It has only had 1 failure to cycle since I’ve owned it. Of the new 20 gauge autoloaders available, the A300 Ultima is my top pick.

I own a 20 gauge Beretta 390 Silver mallard that has never failed to cycle and has had several thousand rounds through it. They are hard to come by and pricey, but are among the best 20 gauge autoloaders ever made IMO.

I purchased a 20 gauge youth model SX4 for my daughter for her birthday last year. It took about 100 rounds to break it in, but it’s been reliable as well. It does not cycle Winchester Universals 100% of the time, but does with all other ammunition I’ve put through it. It even has the Browning speed load feature. My 12 year old daughter loves it, and has bagged a few ducks with it. A full size model is priced around $900.

 

I have owned a Stoeger 3020 and currently own an SA 28. The 3020 functioned very well, was easy to clean, and had shims for stock adjustment. My only complaint was that I used it for clay targets and it’s sharp recoil was a put-off. The SA 28 has much softer recoil, more of a push than a slap. It also functions well, and has stock shims, but requires a more lengthy cleaning process. I do not have a Viper G2, but is essentially the same gun as the SA20 with nicer wood and metal finish. I have no experience with the Weatherby. Hope this helps.

 

I have the Tristar viper g2 in 20 gauge, and my son has one in 12 gauge. We have at least 3k rounds through them between the two of us. Reliable, soft shooting guns at a good price point. I recommend it .

 

Benelli. Take your pick on model. Best Semiautomatic shotgun you can buy.

 

Beretta a300 ultima

 

Franchi Affinitty is a good choice but recoil operated as opposed to gas. Benelli reliability without Benelli price.

 

I own a SA-20, it has been flawless.

 

I have a SA 20 !! A nice gun to carry.

 

Second nomination for the Beretta A300 Ultima in 20 gauge...mine has been very dependable and the recoil is a soft push...

 

I just held a Franchi Affinity 3 at a lgc and loved how it felt! Still a little on the pricey side but now it’s making me want to go that route. I’m still planning on traveling to some other gun shops and hold them in my hand before purchasing. Keep the suggestions coming, they help a bunch!


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I just held a Franchi Affinity 3 at a lgc and loved how it felt! Still a little on the pricey side but now it’s making me want to go that route. I’m still planning on traveling to some other gun shops and hold them in my hand before purchasing. Keep the suggestions coming, they help a bunch!


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Garbage, absolute ****.

 

Beretta A300 was my choice.

 

I have the Mossberg SA-20 and the Beretta a300 Ultima 20(couldn't decide). Both are used fort recreational skeet and are keepers.

 

Beretta A300 without a doubt

 

And made in the USA

 

Take a look at the Franchi AL-48.

 

Are they still making them?

 

Another budget friendly semi auto you may
want to add to your list is the Legacy Escort. Great made Turkish shotgun. I bought one of their youth model 20ga several years ago. Been a solid gun and has really nice wood on it.

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/817461014442

 

Another budget friendly semi auto you may
want to add to your list is the Legacy Escort. Great made Turkish shotgun. I bought one of their youth model 20ga several years ago. Been a solid gun and has really nice wood on it.

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/817461014442

Put aside all the brand-biased comments and go for the one that feels most natural to you. If you have any clubs in your area that rent guns..........there's no substitute for actually shooting them before deciding what YOU like best.

 

Beretta A300 is an excellent choice!!

 

I'll add another vote for the A300 Ultima. Best value going and as noted, it is made in the USA (Tennessee). Mine is a great shooter and has never failed to cycle on a wide variety of factory ammo and reloads. If for some reason, you decide to go the made in Turkey route, check the trigger pull before you buy.....some have been way to high.

 

If you can stretch the budget to fit a Montefeltro then you'll have the best wood/blued 20ga semi money can buy. Stretch a bit more and the M2 is a heat seeking missile launcher. Handles soooo sweet.

Absent that i'd third or fourth the suggestion of looking at the Franchi. I'd be very happy to shoot one of those as well.

I have an A300 in 12ga and the SA28, both in black synthetic. Both are examples of just how much a gun maker can cheap out on finish.

 

First paragraph👆🏻

 

I have always had a preference for Mossberg shotguns. They have the history of being the first Mil-Spec public production shotguns. I have never gone away from them, and I've never been disappointed.

 

The Mossberg semiautos are not built by Mossberg. They are manufactured by Armsan in Turkay. Mossberg is purely an importer.

 

The Beretta A300 has recently become available in 20 gauge. It is just a bit higher than your 650 but not by much. My son has a couple of these in 20 gauge and they are great guns so maybe check them out. I think it would be a good option for you if it fits you well.

 

No brand bias here. Benelli is the best SA currently being produced. Why buy anything less?

 

Next year will be my 10th turkey season with my Benelli M2. I hunt as many states as I can fit into the time between early March and late May. I have also chased my cur squirrel dogs all over southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky with it slung over my shoulder. I have never, I repeat never had the dreaded Benelli click to happen! Crawling, calling, rain , snow, you name it, my M2 20ga has never failed to go bang when I pulled the trigger! I must be extremely lucky!